The first NHS trust to be charged with corporate manslaughter following the death of a patient will stand trial in January.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust was charged under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act along with anaesthetist Dr Errol Cornish who is charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

Royal Courts of Justice

The trial is due to take place on 11 January 2016

The case follows the death of primary school teacher Frances Cappuccini who died after giving birth by emergency caesarean section in October 2012 at the trust’s Pembury Hospital.

The case against Dr Cornish and the trust was heard this morning at the Old Bailey criminal court in London.

The court confirmed to HSJ that no pleas were entered and a trial date was set for 11 January 2016.

An international warrant has been issued for the arrest of Dr Nadeem Azeez who is believed to have returned to Pakistan and was also charged with gross negligence manslaughter .

Topics